Guidebook for San Francisco
Food Scene
This is my neighborhood bistro. I love the area, and the team is wonderful. The terrace is pleasant all day long, from morning, when the first rays of sunshine make it ideal for reading the newspaper, into lunch, when the dishes are delicious and inexpensive.
The terrace is heated, so no need to avoid it in winter. If you’re still cold, ask the staff for a blanket.
11 íbúar mæla með
Centreville
2 Rue KellerThis is my neighborhood bistro. I love the area, and the team is wonderful. The terrace is pleasant all day long, from morning, when the first rays of sunshine make it ideal for reading the newspaper, into lunch, when the dishes are delicious and inexpensive.
The terrace is heated, so no need to avoid it in winter. If you’re still cold, ask the staff for a blanket.
An old brasserie with a lot of charm, partly because it hasn’t changed with the passing years. I love the distressed wood tables and chairs available for sitting out on the terrace. The street it’s on is very lively, so while the view itself isn’t extraordinary, it’s the atmosphere of the place and its surroundings that make it a favorite.
The servers are major wine enthusiasts. Be sure to ask them for recommendations.
31 íbúar mæla með
A la renaissance
87 Rue de la RoquetteAn old brasserie with a lot of charm, partly because it hasn’t changed with the passing years. I love the distressed wood tables and chairs available for sitting out on the terrace. The street it’s on is very lively, so while the view itself isn’t extraordinary, it’s the atmosphere of the place and its surroundings that make it a favorite.
The servers are major wine enthusiasts. Be sure to ask them for recommendations.
Set in the former Récollets convent, this café is closed off by stone walls that are high enough to make you forget that you’re next to the Gare de l’Est. In summer, it’s the perfect place to work outdoors or get lost in a book. There are trees, gravel, loungers, and tranquillity. It’s like being in the country!
The lounge chairs are in limited supply, so go right when they open to snag one.
345 íbúar mæla með
Street BKK Grill & Beer - Canal
3 Rue Eugène VarlinSet in the former Récollets convent, this café is closed off by stone walls that are high enough to make you forget that you’re next to the Gare de l’Est. In summer, it’s the perfect place to work outdoors or get lost in a book. There are trees, gravel, loungers, and tranquillity. It’s like being in the country!
The lounge chairs are in limited supply, so go right when they open to snag one.
The brasserie is set along the busy Grands Boulevards, but still a lovely place to sit at any point of the day. I love the decor: wicker light fixtures, garlands, good light, which is so important but so rare in Paris cafés. The decorative style is unique despite operating as a traditional Parisian brasserie, with nonstop service all day.
If the terrace is full, opt for one of the long banquettes at the back of the dining room for some peace and quiet.
30 íbúar mæla með
Café Le Brebant
32 Bd PoissonnièreThe brasserie is set along the busy Grands Boulevards, but still a lovely place to sit at any point of the day. I love the decor: wicker light fixtures, garlands, good light, which is so important but so rare in Paris cafés. The decorative style is unique despite operating as a traditional Parisian brasserie, with nonstop service all day.
If the terrace is full, opt for one of the long banquettes at the back of the dining room for some peace and quiet.
A true Paris institution! I used to go to Le Tambour with the rest of my news team every weekend after the night shift. Whether on the terrace or inside, the vibe is always lively. It’s not the kind of restaurant you go to to get work done, but rather to relax and be served by sweet waiters, all veterans of the industry.
The goat cheese salad is definitely one of my favorites. The vinaigrette dressing is excellent.
49 íbúar mæla með
Le Tambour
41 Rue MontmartreA true Paris institution! I used to go to Le Tambour with the rest of my news team every weekend after the night shift. Whether on the terrace or inside, the vibe is always lively. It’s not the kind of restaurant you go to to get work done, but rather to relax and be served by sweet waiters, all veterans of the industry.
The goat cheese salad is definitely one of my favorites. The vinaigrette dressing is excellent.
What this terrace lacks in size it more than makes up for in charm. The terrace has a few small wooden tables and one large one that accommodates several people. I go there to read and snack on simple but delicious bites. The place feels like home.
Chat it up with the owner, Philippe. He’s really nice. He got into the restaurant business after years of working in finance.
11 íbúar mæla með
Floquifil
17 Rue de MontyonWhat this terrace lacks in size it more than makes up for in charm. The terrace has a few small wooden tables and one large one that accommodates several people. I go there to read and snack on simple but delicious bites. The place feels like home.
Chat it up with the owner, Philippe. He’s really nice. He got into the restaurant business after years of working in finance.
A legendary cafe on the Left Bank known for having once been a magnet for literary giants like Hemingway and Rimbaud, it boasts the most coveted terrace in the city. When you need to take a little break from reading, all you have to do is open your eyes: The spectacle is all around you.
The best time to come is late afternoon for a cup of tea when it’s swarming with passersby; that’s part of the spectacle of people-watching in this spot!
261 íbúar mæla með
Les Deux Magots
6 Pl. Saint-Germain des PrésA legendary cafe on the Left Bank known for having once been a magnet for literary giants like Hemingway and Rimbaud, it boasts the most coveted terrace in the city. When you need to take a little break from reading, all you have to do is open your eyes: The spectacle is all around you.
The best time to come is late afternoon for a cup of tea when it’s swarming with passersby; that’s part of the spectacle of people-watching in this spot!
This Belleville café is perfect for people-watching. There’s always a steady stream of Parisians flowing past the large terrace and plenty of hustle and bustle in the neighborhood. The decor is nice, too, with lots of mirrors and exposed brick. For a quieter experience, there’s a cozy corner inside where you can get some work done.
Once you’ve had your terrace fix, take it indoors for a round of foosball.
121 íbúar mæla með
LES TRIPLETTES
102 Bd de BellevilleThis Belleville café is perfect for people-watching. There’s always a steady stream of Parisians flowing past the large terrace and plenty of hustle and bustle in the neighborhood. The decor is nice, too, with lots of mirrors and exposed brick. For a quieter experience, there’s a cozy corner inside where you can get some work done.
Once you’ve had your terrace fix, take it indoors for a round of foosball.
This hotel-restaurant located in the Silicon Sentier is ideal for a dose of calm on a busy day. The café terrace is tucked into one corner of a small square and allows you to escape the din of street traffic. It’s one of my favorite places to properly prepare for a day of work.
For a snack, I go for the burrata, which is rather light and beautifully presented. I like to order it alongside a range of small starters.
65 íbúar mæla með
Hôtel Edgar
1 Rue d'AlexandrieThis hotel-restaurant located in the Silicon Sentier is ideal for a dose of calm on a busy day. The café terrace is tucked into one corner of a small square and allows you to escape the din of street traffic. It’s one of my favorite places to properly prepare for a day of work.
For a snack, I go for the burrata, which is rather light and beautifully presented. I like to order it alongside a range of small starters.